Fansided

5 NBA teams that could use some luck in the new year

By Dylan Hughes

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Paul George is carted off the floor on a gurney after suffering a lower leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Paul George is carted off the floor on a gurney after suffering a lower leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (right) and Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (left) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (right) and Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (left) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers just had a really bad 2014.

After starting out last season so well, Indiana faltered in February and have had bad luck ever since. While they still retained the 1st seed in the East, the Pacers struggled to get past the 8th-seeded Hawks, and lost to the Heat in the East finals–again–in six games after handling the Wizards in the second round.

Then there was, y’know, the horrific leg break of Paul George that should hold him out for the rest of this season. And on top of that, the Pacers have had more combined missed games among their players than any other team in the NBA. Of the 15 roster members, only Solomon Hill and Luis Scola have played in every single game.

There’s been various illnesses among C.J. Miles, Rodney Stuckey, and Damjan Rudez, various injuries to George Hill, C.J. Watson and Ian Mahinmi had (and still have) been dealing with foot injuries, David West missed time with a sprained ankle, etc.

The great leader in Frank Vogel hasn’t given his team an excuse to lose, though, and has his team as the 9th seed in the East. While (George) Hill and Watson missed Indiana’s recent win in Milwaukee, the team aside from Mahinmi (and George, obviously) is fairly healthy and coming together.

The Pacers need some good luck after the rather horrific 2014 they had, and luckily for them, the new year has already gotten off to a good start with a road win against a playoff team (Bucks). If Indiana hopes to not only make the playoffs but make some noise there, they still need a bunch of luck.

Basketball Gods, if you’re listening (or reading) out there, please help these teams out.

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